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TNPSC Preamble and Fundamental Rights practice questions

By the PrepMatic team · Updated 9 Oct 2026 · 3 min read

The Preamble and Part III (Fundamental Rights) are the most reliable source of marks in the Indian Polity unit, which carries about 15 of the 75 General Studies questions in the Group 4 prelims-style paper. The five questions below use the Article numbers, amendments and phrases that TNPSC keeps returning to. See the TNPSC Indian Polity guide for the rest of the unit.

What this topic covers

• The Preamble: its opening words "We, the people of India", the resolve to constitute India as a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic, and the aims of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.
• Fundamental Rights (Articles 12 to 35): the six groups, which Articles hold the famous provisions, and which rights are available to citizens only.
• Writs: habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, certiorari and quo warranto, issued by the Supreme Court under Article 32 and by High Courts under Article 226.
• Changes over time: the right to property was dropped from this list in 1978.

Sample questions

Question 1

The words "Socialist" and "Secular" were added to the Preamble by the:

• A. 24th Amendment
• B. 42nd Amendment
• C. 44th Amendment
• D. 52nd Amendment

Question 2

Which Article of the Constitution abolishes untouchability?

• A. Article 14
• B. Article 15
• C. Article 16
• D. Article 17

Question 3

Article 21A guarantees free and compulsory education to children in the age group of:

• A. 5 to 15 years
• B. 6 to 14 years
• C. 6 to 16 years
• D. 3 to 18 years

Question 4

Dr B. R. Ambedkar called which Article the "heart and soul" of the Constitution?

• A. Article 19
• B. Article 21
• C. Article 32
• D. Article 226

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a Fundamental Right at present?

• A. Right to Equality
• B. Right against Exploitation
• C. Right to Property
• D. Right to Freedom of Religion

Answers and explanations

1. B. The 42nd Amendment (1976) inserted "Socialist", "Secular" and "Integrity" into the Preamble. The 44th Amendment (1978) changed other Emergency-era provisions but did not alter the Preamble.
2. D. Article 17 abolishes untouchability and makes its practice an offence. Article 14 is equality before law, Article 15 prohibits discrimination, and Article 16 is equality of opportunity in public employment.
3. B. Article 21A, inserted by the 86th Amendment (2002), covers children aged 6 to 14. The Right to Education Act, 2009 gives it effect.
4. C. Article 32 lets a citizen approach the Supreme Court directly when a Fundamental Right is violated, which Ambedkar valued above all other provisions. Article 226 is the parallel power of High Courts.
5. C. The 44th Amendment (1978) removed the right to property from Part III. It is now a legal right under Article 300A, not a Fundamental Right.

How to prepare Fundamental Rights

Memorise the Articles in clusters, not one by one: 14 to 18, 19 to 22, 23 to 24, 25 to 28, 29 to 30, 32. Then attach a single anchor to each cluster, such as the ones in the table above. When a question gives an Article number you do not recognise, the cluster usually lets you eliminate two options.

Spend an evening on the exceptions, because examiners like them:

• Rights available only to citizens: Articles 15, 16, 19, 29 and 30.
• Rights available to every person on Indian soil: Articles 14, 20, 21 and 22 (with limits).
• Article 19 lists six freedoms, and they are subject to reasonable restrictions.

Finally, link the rights to the Preamble: liberty and equality in the Preamble become Articles 19 and 14 in Part III. That connection helps you answer "which part of the Constitution contains..." questions. The amendments behind these changes are collected in TNPSC Constitution and amendments practice.

Take the full topic test on PrepMatic

After these five questions, take a longer polity-only test on PrepMatic: topic tests run to about 15 questions in 30 minutes, and your result shows accuracy and speed per question. If you prefer to study in Tamil, you can choose Tamil as your exam language so the questions appear in Tamil. A free account with the Basic plan includes 5 topic tests and needs no credit card.

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